06/28/2017 -
Sucking on a pacifier, known as non-nutritive sucking, has been thought to encourage sucking behavior and improve digestion. Researchers wanted to assess the effects of non-nutritive sucking on physiologic stability and nutrition in preterm infants. The study, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, found that non-nutritive sucking reduces the time infants need to transition from tube to oral feeding.

05/31/2017 -
Researchers wanted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of capsaicin in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Capsaicin is a chili pepper extract that produces a burning sensation when applied to the skin. It affects the nerves and reduces the activity of pain receptors. The study, published in the Journal of Pain, found that capsaicin treatment provides modest improvements in pain and sleep quality.

04/20/2017 -
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that is especially dangerous to infants until they receive a 3-vaccine series called DTaP. One study, published in Pediatrics, found that maternal Tdap vaccination during pregnancy is highly protective against infant pertussis, especially in the first 2 months of life.

03/31/2017 -
Procedures can be painful to infants, but giving an infant pain medication can pose its own problems. One study found that skin-to-skin contact appears to reduce procedural pain in infants.

02/03/2017 -
A food allergy occurs when the body has an abnormal immune reaction to a food, such as peanuts, milk, eggs, and fish. One trial found that the early introduction of allergenic foods at 3 months in average-risk, breastfed infants is associated with lower rates of food allergy at 3 years compared to introduction at 6 months.

01/11/2017 -
Children with conduct disorder have difficulty following rules and behaving in a socially acceptable manner. A recent study found that Internet-assisted parent training may improve behavior in preschool children with disruptive behavioral problems.

12/27/2016 -
Cancer symptoms and treatment side effects can cause both physical pain as well as anxiety and depression. A recent study found that music interventions may have beneficial effects on anxiety, pain, fatigue, and depression in patients with cancer.

11/30/2016 -
Adults who are obese are at an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, certain types of cancer, and other complications. Activity trackers can help you monitor and track fitness-related data, but they may not lead to weight loss in those under 35.

08/19/2016 -
Many factors affect asthma management, including taking medications, avoiding environmental triggers, and staying physically fit. Researchers found that yoga was associated with improvements in quality of life and reduced symptoms in people with asthma.

07/31/2016 -
Cancer-related fatigue can last for an extended period of time and can make it difficult to complete daily tasks and affect quality of life. Alternative treatments are gaining notice. This study showed that acupressure reduced persistent fatigue.

06/30/2016 -
Previous studies have strongly suggested that eating whole grains is an effective way to lower the risk of many chronic diseases, but the amount of whole grains is not always clear. This study found that 3-7 servings of whole grain everyday was associated with a reduced risk of a number of chronic diseases.

05/24/2016 -
High BMI is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in adults but researchers wanted to see how early this affect started. The study found that high BMI in adolescents may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life but it is too early to make a firm link.

04/20/2016 -
Low back pain is a common complaint that can last a few days or weeks or become a chronic condition with significant impact on well being. Treatments can vary depending on the cause. A recent study found that exercise alone or in combination with education was most effective for preventing low back pain.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.